Not only Florence + the Machine draw inspiration from Julian of Norwich for their work. Susanne Sundfør has also turned to English mysticism for her new album, ‘Revelations of Divine Love’, which is due out on October 2.
The title comes from Julian of Norwich’s famous text, written in the 14th century and focused on divine love. Sundfør discovered her writings while performing in churches alongside the British pianist and organist Kit Downes, with whom she has created this new album. The connection was so immediate that Downes ended up becoming a full-fledged collaborator on the project.
We can already hear the first preview, ‘I It Am’, a title also drawn from Norwich’s writings. And it’s beautiful, but it also makes clear where this record is headed. It’s not a pop single in the usual sense, nor does it seem to aim for one: Sundfør takes her time, lets the voice glide over organ melodies and a celestial choir, and builds something far more meditative and contemplative.
‘Revelations of Divine Love’ continues in some sense the spiritual exploration Sundfør had already begun with ‘Blómi’, her 2023 album. The record was recorded with Downes in November 2024 in a church in Norway, Bragernes Kirke, taking advantage of its reverberant and almost sacred atmosphere.
